The Murders in Praed Street · Chapter
XII: A Hypodermic Needle explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Copperdock is found dead in his room, having been injected with poison via a hypodermic needle that broke off in his back. Dr. Morlandson and Inspector Whyland investigate, noting similarities to the Colburn case. The doctor suggests the poison may have been self-administered, but the presence of caustic potash applied to the wound raises questions. Ted Copperdock provides an alibi, and Waters confirms no one entered the house between eleven and a quarter past twelve. Whyland and Ludgrove search the premises for clues.
Themes in this chapter
The Psychology of Fear
Mr. Copperdock's fear of the Black Sailor is mentioned, suggesting psychological factors may have played a role in his state of mind before death.
The Role of the Detective
Inspector Whyland and Waters demonstrate methodical investigation, examining the scene, questioning witnesses, and considering possibilities like self-administration or murder.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Samuel Copperdock
Found dead in his room, killed by a hypodermic injection of poison; the needle broke off in his back.
- Mr. Elmer Ludgrove
Discovers the body with the detective, assists Whyland in searching the house, and provides information about his own movements.
- Inspector Whyland
Arrives to investigate the death, examines the scene, and discusses the case with the doctor and Ludgrove.
- Dr. Morlandson
Examines the body, extracts the broken needle, identifies the white incrustation as likely potassium carbonate, and notes similarities to the Colburn case.
- Ted Copperdock
Returns home at a quarter past twelve, discovers his father's body, and provides an alibi involving Miss Tovey.
- Waters
The detective who was watching the house; reports no one entered between eleven and a quarter past twelve, and searches for the missing syringe.
Key passages
“For a moment the two men stood still, rooted to the ground with horror. Then Mr. Ludgrove stepped forward and fell on his knees by Mr. Copperdock’s side.”
Ludgrove and the detective are frozen in shock before Ludgrove kneels beside Copperdock's body.
Opening scene of discovery.
“He put his finger on his wrist for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet and shook his head.”
Ludgrove checks for a pulse and confirms Copperdock is dead.
Confirmation of death.
“There, just below the left shoulder-blade, was an almost circular patch, covered with a curious white powdery incrustation. In the centre of this patch was an angry looking purple spot.”
The doctor finds a white powdery patch with a purple center below Copperdock's left shoulder blade.
Discovery of the injection site.
“That's the end of a fine hypodermic needle. I'm beginning to see what happened, now. He was injected with some powerful toxic agent by means of a hypodermic syringe, the needle of which broke off in the process.”
The doctor extracts the broken needle tip and concludes Copperdock was poisoned via injection.
Doctor's initial conclusion.
“Potassium carbonate has no particular properties of its own. But, if a piece of caustic potash had been applied to the puncture, say an hour or two ago, it would by now have been converted into potassium carbonate.”
The doctor explains that the white powder is likely potassium carbonate, formed from caustic potash applied to the wound as an antidote.
Explanation of the white incrustation.
